User:JamieS93/Thick skin

This is an essay.

It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints.

Every day Wikipedia is filled with personal disputes—some of a more innocuous variety, and others that escalate into stupid behavior, petty fighting, and attacks. One of the greatest things that you can do is get thick skin.

If somebody gets hot-headed with you, don't fall into the practice of telling them every moment about how "uncivil" they're being. If they debate with you and start borderline attacking, don't raise a stink about it. Be honest and calm with them, or just consider leaving the conversation. If a user is truly personally attacking others, and especially if they're only here to cause disruption, that kind of behavior ought to be blocked. WP:NPA exists for a very good reason, and people shouldn't be crossing that boundary – but please, do your part by not getting offended by bluntness or others blowing off steam at you.

Telling your "disputee" about their lack of perfect civility with you will usually never get anybody anywhere, and will only result in one party looking like a nit-pick, and generally the other becoming frustrated. It you try playing it cool, and adopt a thicker layer of skin, it will most likely benefit all parties involved.